Egg grading machine



Aug. 7, 1945.

J. S. CAMPBELL ET AL EGG GRADING MACHINE 4 sheets sheet 1 Filed Dec. 8,1942 A 7, 1945, J; 5. CAMPBELL ET AL EGG GRADING MACHINE \N. BROWN. imamu GLA a Euf I AT YC;%

A 7 1945 J. '5. CAMPBELL ET AL 2,381,035

EGG GRADING MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTEJFKS J 513AM PBELL "vv BHDWN GRAD U u G LAB Q, m ww gmw WSW mw r L m T 8 v 4 \mS mlwm Patented Aug. 7, 1945 EGG GRADING MACHINE John Stewart Campbelland William Brown, Melbourne, and George Alexander Douglas, MountBrydges, Ontario, Canada Application December 8, 1942, Serial No.468,230

9 Claims.

This invention relate to grading machine particularly egg gradingmachines. 1

It has been the practice to grade eggs by weighing them and egg gradingmachines employing a plurality of scales upon which the eggs areprogressively placed and discharged from a given scale have beenemployed. In one type of machine swingable jaws have been used to graspeggs and liftthem from scale to scale, while in another type of machinefingers have been employed to carry the eggs and designed to pass.through spaced apart fingers forming scale pans in order to deposit theeg s on the pans.

In the first type of structure there are several disadvantages whichinclude, the tendency towards breakage of the eggs by the swinging jawsparticularly in the case where the eggs gather to any extent on thetrays into which they are discharged, as the swinging jaws operatingthrough an arc to engage the eggs on the scale pans move closely to aportion of the trays. Furthermore, this type of structure is relativelynoisy in operation. In the second case a particular disadvantage residesin the fact that if the timing of the apparatus should vary in any oneinstance or if movable parts should be moved slightly out of positionthe fingers carrying the eggs will not pass between the fingers of thescale pans but would tend to contact with the fingers of the scale pans,thus jambing or possibly breaking the apparatus and or breaking eggs.

It is particularly desirable. in apparatus of this general type toprovide a structure which will reduce to the very minimum anypossibility of egg breakage as when compared with the large volume ofeggs handled any material breakage will result in a substantial loss.

It is an object of the present invention to produce a machine which willavoid the general disadvantages of the prior art by providing againstbreakage in the handling of the eggs as they pass through the machineand even though machine parts might in any instance be moved from normal operating position. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a structure which willoperate smoothly and practically silently. v

A still further object of the invention is to provide a structure inwhich eggs that might be dislodged from normal position while passingthrough the machine will be gentlyhandled and deposited at Ya givenpoint to be collected and passed through the machine again. I

A s'till further object of the invention is to provide a machinewhich isrelatively simple in'a general construction and may be manufactured andmarketed at a reasonable figure.

With these and other objects in View the invention generally comprises-a frame carrying a plurality of scales spaced apart from one anotherand each having a scale pan aligned with that of the adjacentscaleswhich cooperate with egg carrying means transferring eggs from pan topan including a pair of members disposed to straddle the pans andmovable in horizontal and vertical direction relatively to the pans. The

structure includes a means cooperating with the egg carrying members toreceive and pass through the machine, eggs that might become misplacedin the carrying operation, in which said'eggs are handled withouttendency to breakage and a means for preliminarily contacting the eggsas they are discharged from the pans to the trays to assure againstbreakage. The machine also includes a simple means for feeding the eggsto the egg carrying members smoothly and silently.

The invention will be understood by reference to the following detailedspecification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a machine accord ing to the presentinvention.

Fig, 2 is a front elevation thereof with the egg receiving tray removedfor the purpose of clarity of disclosure, the forward support of thetray being shown fragmentarily.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken through the machine along the line3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevation of the egg carrying members andthe apparatus connected therewith for causing their operation.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken through the machine at apoint where a scale is mounted to show its relative position in themachine and its movement in depositing an egg onto the receiving tray.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged-fragmentary section taken through the machine toshow the mounting of the egg receiving tray.

Fig. '7 is an enlarged perspective detail partly Y in section toillustrate the means for feeding the 1 while passing through themachine.

eggs to the egg carrying members.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged section taken along the line 8--8 of Fig. 1 toillustrate the means for discharging the lightest eggs and part of thetray for receiving eggs that might have been dislodged Fig. 9 is *anenlarged detail partly showing the mounting of the egg carrier.

Fig. 10 is an enlarged perspective detail of a guard-rigidly mounted onthe frame between certain scale pans and in alignment therewith.

Referring tothe drawings, A indicates the e grading machine as a wholewhich includes a suitable framework made up of uprights 10 iongitudinalconnecting members H and transverse connecting members l2. At the top ofthe framework a pair of longitudinally-extending connecting members l3and H are spaced apart transin section versely of the framework. Memberl4 carries a plurality of arms or the like l5 between pairs of whichscale beams l6 are pivotally mounted on a pivot bar l1 (see Fig. 1particularly).

The scale beams take the form of a bent arm having a gooseneck portionl8 which terminates in a scale pan l9. The opposite end takes the formof a laterally projecting arm 28 which carries, preferably inscrew-threaded relation, an adjustable weight 2| (see Fig. 5particularly). The scale pans, as will be seen from Figs. 1 and 5, arelong and narrow and the upper face thereof is concaved as at 22 suchthat when an egg is deposited thereon it will retain it unless the scalepan moves downwardly in the case where the beam is tilted by an eggheavy enough to do so.

As seen in Fig. 1 a plurality of scale pans are mounted so that they arealigned with one another and extend in a path longitudinally across themachine. The scale pans are spaced apart from one another longitudinallyof the machine, each pan being disposed opposite to a compartment formedbetween partitions 23 of an inclined egg receiving tray B Whose inneredge is positioned adjacent to and parallel with the line of scale pans.The tray B is swingably mounted on the framework in a manner hereinafterreferred to and slopes downwardly from its inner end adjacent the pansto its outer end. Thus, when eggs are transferred onto the scale pansand cause any one of the pans to tip downwardly, where the egg inquestion is heavy enough to cause this action, the egg will be depositedin one of the compartments of the egg tray and will roll towards theouter end thereof.

Beside the egg tray B is positioned an inwardly and downwardly slopedegg chute C which is preferably formed with a groove or trough 24 alongwhich the eggs may roll, the slope of the egg chute being in theopposite direction to the slope of the egg tray. The eggs are caused toroll down the egg chute intermittently as will hereinafter appear andthe innermost egg discharges from the inner end of the egg chute and isfinally received by an egg carrier D which is in the form of alongitudinally extending member designed to straddle the line of scalepans and,is caused to reciprocate longitudinally of the machine and tomove vertically upwardly and downwardly, in order to transfer eggs fromscale pan to scale pan.

The preferred form of egg carrier may be best seen by reference to Figs.4 and 5. This conslsts'of a pair of longitudinal bars 25 and 26 spacedapart from one another transversely of the machine and connectedtogether by integral or attached U-shaped members 21 at each end.

The bars are recessed as at 28 at spaced apart intervals longitudinallyof the carrier and at points which coincide with the centres of thewhich is disposed between the bars and 26 of the egg carrier D, and ifthe egg carrier is then raised the egg will be engaged by the first eggreceiving portion of the egg carrier D which would lift it on thepedestal 29. Moreover, if

the egg carrier is then moved longitudinally of alongside of the eggpedestal 28 and opposite to the chute 24. By repeating thisreciprocation I of the egg carrier in between upward and downwardmotions of the egg carrier at the end of each longitudinal stroke, eggsare received in the machine and transferred from scale to scale pan tobe weighed and discharged in accordance with their weight as will bedescribed in more detail hereinafter.

The egg carrier is mounted and operated as follows: Mounted betweencorresponding cross members l2 at each end of the frame is a platformdesigned to support a base plate 3| carrying a pair of upright standards32 and 33 (Fig. 3) mounted parallel to one another and spaced aparttransversely of the machine. From these standards rise the guide rods 34and 35 which at the top are braced by means of a connecting bar 36 (seeFig. 4) which may constitute the bent end of a bracing standard 31. Thebracing bar 36 of each standard 31 is preferably welded respectively tothe associated guide rods 34 and 35.

On the guide rods 34 and 35 are mounted slidable sleeves 38 and 39respectively. To the sleeves 38 and 39 are secured the horizontallyextending cross plates 46 and 4| (see Figs. 2 and 3) connected by thecross rods 42 to form a framework and between the plates 49 and 4|;mounted parallel therewith on the rods 42, are spaced apart plates 43from the centre of which depend the downwardly projecting arms 44 spacedapart from one another and carrying .therebetween at their lower ends acam roller 45. This is designed to engage the surface ofthe cam 46carried on the cam shaft 41 mounted from the standards 32 and 33 androtated by a drive which includes pulleys 48 and 49, cross shaft 50,pulleys 5| and 52, the latter being driven from a motor 53, the pulleyarrangement being such as to provide an appropriate speed of operation.Rotation of the cam shaft 41 will cause cam 46 to rotate in bearingengagement with the roller and due to the cam rise, later morespecifically scale pans IS, the corresponding recesses in each barforming means for jointly receivin an egg between them and holding itagainst movement. As particularly noted from Fig. 5, the bars 25 and 26are spaced apart a distance so as-to per mit them to straddle the scalepans and at the same time to support therebetween an egg.

As may be noted from Fig. 1 the egg carrier'D, in its normal position,is arranged such that an egg receiving recessedportion isdisposedopposite to the egg chute24 while a corresponding egg receivingrecessed portion is disposed beside each scale pan I9. Thus, if an eggis discharged from the end of the egg chute 24 it will be received on aconcave egg receiving pedestal 29 referred to, the depending arms 44 andother connections including the plates 46 and 4| connected to thesleeves 38 and 39 will cause them to rise upwardly and downwardly, withthe motion of the cam, sliding upon the guide rods 34 and v .As noted inFigs. 3 and 4 particularly, the sleeve 39 has connected thereto ahorizontally disposed sleeve 54 which, of course, moves verticallyupwardly and downwardly with the corresponding motion of sleeve 39.Passing through this sleeve is a horizontally extending rod 55, at eachend of which is secured a connecting member 56 (see Fig. 9) risingvertically therefrom and carrying at, its upward end a horizontal rod 51having a roller 58 mounted on its opposite end. The sleeve 38 has weldedthereto, or otherwise suitably secured, a horizontal bar 59 (see Figs. 2and 4) which is disposed at a slightly higher level to thehorizontalsleeve 54 carried by the sleeve 39. The rod 59 is designed toreceive the rollers 58 in bearing engagement and one of its functions isto form a track for these rollers to ride on.

Connected to the rods 51 is a longitudinally extendinglink rod 60 whichin turn is pivotally connected as at El with a lever arm 62, the latterbeing pivoted on the base 3| as at 63. Intermediate the ends of thelever 62 is mounted a cam roller 64 designed to ride on the cam face of.a cam. 65 mounted'on the cam shaft 41 beside cam 46. The:pivotalmounting 63 of the lever 62 includes a transverse rod connected with orforming part of a weighted lever arm 66 carrying an adjustable weight 61the leverarm 66 bein disposed to project at an angle to lever 62. Thisweighted lever arm, therefore, has the tendency of always urging lever62 to the left, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 4, thus to maintain the roller64 in engagement with cam 65. Consequently upon rotation of the cam thecam rise'will cause lever 92 to reciprocate which will result in linkrod 60 reciprocating and thus reciprocate the rods 51, the rollers 58 ofwhich will ride along the rod 59. Similarly, the connected horizontallyextending rod 55 will be caused to reciprocate through the sleeve 54.

The egg carrier D has the downwardly projecting arms 51 and 68 clearlyshown in Fig. 4. These are slotted at their lower ends to straddle therods 51 and may be secured thereon by any suitable means. Consequentlythe egg carrier will move vertically upwardly with the sleeves 38 and 39and will reciprocate horizontally with the rod 55 passing through sleeve54, as the former is caused to reciprocate by lever 62 above described.On the other hand the horizontal rod 59 through its rigid connectionwith the sleeve 38 will merely move upwardly and downwardly, in unisonwith the horizontal sleeve 54 on sleeve 38, and function as a trackpositioned to carry and support the rollers 58 of rod 51 as the lattermove upwardly with rod 55.

anism just described may be raised vertically to the dotted lineposition shown in Fig. 4, moved horizontally to the right apredetermined distance, lowered to its previous level and moved to theleftfa predetermined distance. In Fig. 4 the mechanism is shown inposition where the egg carrier is in its lowered normal positioncorres'ponding with that position where it is designed to, move upwardlyto receive an egg discharged fromthe egg chute C onto the pedestal 29.

Eggs placed in the egg chute C are designed to be fed intermittently oneby one to be discharged from the chute onto the pedestal 29. Thisintermittent feeding is accomplished by feed mechanism synchronouslyoperated with the movement of the egg carrier. Pivotally mounted on theframe as at 59 is a stop member in the form of a wire framework (seeFigs. 3 and 7) bent in U-shape form so that its lower end will intersectthe path of travel of the eggs in the egg chute C. The lower end moreparticularly illustrated in Fig. '7 is provided with a rubber sleeve 1|or other cushion member. Thus the line of eggs in the egg chute C isstopped from moving towards the discharge end of the chute until stopmember 19 is raised.

, -The raising and lowering of the stop member is controlled by means ofa swingable link 12 pivotallymounted from the 'end chute as at 13 on Itis apparent. therefore, that the egg carrier through the mechone side ofthe stop member as shown in Fig. '1. This pivot link is formed with a,lug 14 to which is connected a link rod 15 which passes through the eggchute and pivotally connects at its lower end with a rocking lever 16pivoted intermediate its ends as at 11, the pivot end being in bearingengagement with a laterally projecting part 18 of a triple armed lever19. The latter is pivoted as at 80 On the framework of the egg chute andhas a downwardly inclined operating arm BI and an egg feeding controlarm 82 just above, the latter having a substantially right angularprojection or foot 83 at its opposite end designed during operation topass upwardly beyond th end of the egg chute and to engage and to bepositioned in the path of the lowermost egg about to be discharged fromthe chute. The third arm 84 of the lever 19 is opposed to arms 81 and 82and extends between the pivot point 80 and the laterally projectingmember 18 which is carried by arm 84.

The operating arm Bl projects forwardly a suflicient distance to passbelow the extreme end of rod 59 so that in the vertical reciprocatingmotion of the rod 59 the operating arm 81 will be engaged and caused toswing on its pivot. In Fig. 3 the egg carrier D is shown in itslowermost position and the rod 59 is correspondingly lowered and inengagement with the control arm 9|, thus retaining the foot 83 out ofthe path of the lowermost egg. At the same time the stop member 19 is inits lowered position stopping the remaining eggs from moving down thechute. When, however, the egg carrier D moves upwardly so as to pick upan egg from the pedestal 29, the rod 59 in moving upwardly also willrelease control arm 8| and cause the foot 83 to project in the path ofthe lowermost egg. In moving upwardly the lever 19 swinging upon itspivot lowers arm 84, thus withdrawing member 18 from engagement with therocking lever 16 and, under pressure of a coil spring 85 positionedbetween the bedof the egg chute C and lug 14 on link 12, the latter isforced upwardly thu moving stop member 10 upwardly and releasing thelowermost egg. Foot 83 is then in its raised position and such egg isretained by the foot member 83 while the egg previously passed to thepedestal is being carried to this next station by the egg carrier D. Itwill be apparent, however, that when the egg carrier is again lowered,the engagement between the rod 59 and control arm 8| of lever 19 willwithdraw, the foot 83 to permit the engaged egg to discharge onto thepedestal 29 while the stop member 10 dropping again to its normalposition prevents the balance of the eggs from moving down the chute.

A second stop member 96 (see Figs. 2 and 3) may be positioned on theframework disposed on the opposite side of the egg carrier to that ofthe cushioned member 11 of stop member 10 to prevent any tendency of anegg discharged onto the pedestal 29 from tipping over and going beyondpedestal 29. is

Between each scale pan a guard 91 is mounted (see Figs. 1 and 2). Theseguards are mounted somewhat similarly to the scale pans by means ofgooseneok arms 88 and rigidly fastened from amounting on the connectingmember l4. These guards will engage an egg if it by any chance wasdislodged from its position on carrier D and they also serve a furtherfunction since either one or both ends is provided with a downwardlyprojecting lug 89, the side edges of which bend to converge towards eachother (see Fig. 10).

Thus, if: bytany chance; .the egg: carrier became: offset" during: itsupward: travel the. edges. of the luga89.=would: serve asva' guide or,inzotherwords;

eggs into the end;compartment of the=tray. In.

other words, thoseeggs' which willnot cause'the' final scalepan to' tipwill beagain picked-:up by the egg-carrier D and; when they engage theguard member 91; onthe lowering of the egg carrier; they will be urgedinto' the end'compartment of the scale pan Bi At this point it will beuseful to describe the general operation of the machine beforedescribingthe remaining features ofit. In general operation let it beassumed that the scales are graduated so that the" heaviest eggs willtip the'first scalewhile the'remaining scales will be tipped inprogression in accordance with the weight of an egg'which' maybedeposited'on them. The apparatus' is set in the position as'shownin-Figs. lj. 2 andB-and an egghas been depositedonthe egg pedestal 29 asshown in' Fig; 3. O'perationofthe motor 53'will, through the drive,operate cam shaft which-rotates in an anti-clockwise direction. Thiswill cause cam 46to rotate in anticlockwise directionand due to theacute cam rise-as'shown in Fig. 4 the engagedroller 45, itssupportingarms 44- andconnected plates l3-together'with the plates 40'- and' Myconnected by rod'42, willbe caused to rise. Moreover, since plates! and.M are connected with theslee'ves 38'and 39; saidsleeves will be causedtorise. As a .result, therefore, thehorizontalsleeve 54 connectedwithsleeve 39.and its rod'55, together with horizontalrodt59 connectedwiththe sleeve'38; will rise. The eggcarrier D mounted on.the rods'51connected with horizontal rod55 will likewise rise and the first eggreceiving recess in the egg carrier D will lift the egg from thepedestal 29 up to its dotted line position (Fig. 4) At the same time thelongitudinal bars 25 and-'26 of the egg carrier D. will, in effect,straddle the scale pans of the scales, the upper edges. of these: barsbeing positioned above the level of the scale pans. Thus, the, egg isclear of the. top of the scale pans. Simultaneously with this operation,the rising of horizontal bar 59. will'release the control arm. 81 oflever 19 to cause the foot 83.to projectinthepath of eggs in the eggchute and will raise. stop member 10 to allow the next egg torollto theedge of the chute to be retained by the foot. 83.

During this time the cam 65 has been rotating with its true arc surfaceagainst the roller 64 whichwillnotaifect lever 62. However, at thepointwhere the egg carrier D has been raised to itsupper limit ready forthe next operation, the offset cam-surface of cam.65 engages roller 64and'causes lever 62 to swing in a smooth motion a predetermineddistanceto the right. as viewed in.Fig. 4. The lever 62, through its pivotedconnectionwith the link rodSU, causes the rods 51 carrying the egg.carrier D and the connected horizontal rod 55 to move to the right andduring this. movement the rollers 58 roll along the horizontal bar 59.The egg carrier is, therefore,

moved :smoothly to :the'right a .predetermineddlsr tance :which in 1fact: correspondsstothe distancebetween the pedestal Z9 and the-centreofthe scalei-pan of' thefirst"v scale. At this point-- the cam.65:;hasa. uniformcurvewhich maintains the lever 621m this position.On'the-other-hand, dueto? the change in curvature of the opposed camMirthe roller 45 infollowing thischanged curvature causes its connectedpartsto lower' so that'the egg: carrier D is lowered'as'the'sleeves 38and 39 slide= down their guide rods 34' and 35. i

The'horizontal bars and'25 of the'egg carrier D inmoving past the sideedges of the-scale pans cause the-eggto engage-'- scale pan- No: 1-

where it is receivedand held in the-concaved surface 'of' this pan; Ifthe egg is of the heaviest contemplatedjthe scale pan" will dip, thescale beam l8 swinging onits pivot against its-weight 21, as-shown inFig. 5', so that the egg'will be caused to-roll off the-scale paninto-the firstcompartment of the egg tray B. If the egg is-not' theheaviest contemplated the scale will remain stationary. Let us'assum'ethat it is not the'heaviest andthe-scaleremains stationary- The eggcarrier D'now in its lowermost position is caused to move to-the' left,as viewedjin- Figs. 2'and 4, by reason' ofthe'cam' 65 which changescurvature at this point, causing the lever BZ-to move to the left underinfluence of weighted lever 65 and the cam roller 64* following thechanged surface of cam' 65: The egg carrier is then returned to its'normal'position waiting to pick up the next egg on pedestal 29.Thisnex-t' egg is already in position on the pedestal because thecontrol arm Bl of lever 19 was' depressed on the downward movement ofthe egg carrier. after depositing the egg on the scale pan; as soon asthe' horizontal rod 59 moved downwardly and engaged control arm 8|.Consequently the foot 83' was withdrawn from the. path. of the. next eggwhich was then deposited on pedestal 29. The egg-carrier continues its.cycleof operation picking'up the eggfrom the pedestal 29 andlat the.same time picking up the egg. from the. first scale pan so that; in itsnext horizontal movement to the right the egg from the firstscale panismoved. over above the second scalev pan .while the eg just pickediup ismoved toaposition over. the first scale pan. Upon the, nextdownwardmovement of the egg carrier, therefore, these eggs are deposited on thefirst and secondscale. pans, causing either one or both. to tilt and.dischargethe eggs in the appropriate compartment of the egg. tray B orremaining on the. pansto be transferredto the scales. beyond for lightereggs.

In.this way the eggs are movedfrom scale pan to scale pan until they aredischargeclin their appropriate compartments graduatedby;v weight andany eggs that do notcause any of the scale pans totilt willbebroughtinto. engagement with the guard bar 9| at theend of. theframe,which will cause such. eggs to discharge into the endcompartment oftheegg. tray. B.

Following a considerationof theoperation, the other details of theinvention will now be more fully appreciated. It will be noted that anangular faced rubber cushion 92 is positioned at the inner edge of eachcompartment of. the egg tray B. This functions as a cushion member to.avoid any possibility of breakage or damage to the eggs as they transferfrom the scale pan to the egg tray. Moreover, it will be appreciatedthat as a scale pan tips with the weight of an egg the decrease inweight as the egg starts to roll from the pan will cause the scale panto return to its normal position during which motion it urges the eggcleanly off the pan which is received on the cushionmember. 92 andtransferred immediately to the tray where it rolls down towards itsedge. In this instance the inclined face of the cushion 92 assures thatthe egg will be urged towards the tray. I

When the scale returns to its normal position it will be noted that theend of the scale arm projecting beyond the weight 2| is disposed in thepath of a cushion member 93 of rubber, for instance, so, that. thiseliminates any shock or any jarring of the scale, thus contributing notonly to long life of this part of the apparatus but also avoiding anypossibility of noise.

The scale mountings and the arms 26 and weights 2| of the scales arehoused within a .casing 94, the forward face of which is downwardlyinclined or curved as shown clearly in Fig. 3 which terminates below thelevel of the bars and 26 of the egg carrier D. On each end of the casing94 there is provided a pan 95 and 96. respectively, on the levelsubstantially corresponding to thelowest level of the upper part of theegg carrier D. The pan 95 serves to receive eggs, if by chance theyshould be moved out of position when being initially fed into themachine and locates them handily to the operator so that they can bereturned to the egg chute C. The

pan 96 serves to receive the eggs which for any possible reason may havebecome dislodged during their passage through the machine on the eggcarrier D. For instance, suppose that an egg was dislodged in itspassage on the egg carrier, it would lodge against the curved orinclined face of the casing 94 and bar 26 of the egg carrier D. It wouldthen remain in this position being urged along through the machine asthe egg carrier reciprocates to the right and finally would be depositedin pan 96. The action is such that the eggs that might be so dislodgedare gently handled and finally may be removed from pan 96 to be returnedto the egg chute C for regrading. It might be noted that if there was atendency for the egg to move towards the egg tray B when it reached theend of casing 94, contact of the egg with the inner edge of guardQlwould positively urge it towards pan 96.

It will be noted that the egg tray B is pivotally mounted at one end ona bracket 91. It is also pivotally mounted at the other end to the wallof egg chute C by a simple bolt connection, not shown. Beyond this pivotat the front face of the framework it is supported on a horizontal bar91a which, as shown in Fig.2, is carried on adjustable brackets 98.Thus, by raising or lowering the brackets 98 the degreeofinolination oftheegg tray may be determined.

By reason of the fact that the cams have ground surfaces and since theweighted lever 66 always maintains contact between roller 64 and cam 65apart from the fact that the egg carrier is firmly supported forvertical and horizontal movement, such as by the rollers 58 bearingagainst rod 59,, it will be appreciated that the machine will operatesmoothlythereon and substantially silently. Not only are the movingparts substantially silent but the smooth movement functions to depositthe eggs on the pans of the scales in a simple operation which lends tosilence in addition to handling the eggs gently.

Whilethe machine has been described in relation to its specialfunctions,viz. egg grading, it

will be appreciated that it may be employed fo grading other productsthat can be graded by weight.

- What we claim is our invention is:

1. A grading machine for eggs or the like com prising a frame, aplurality of scales on said frame spaced apart from one another, eachhaving a scale pan aligned with that of adjacent scales, said pans beinglocated in a path disposed intermediate the longitudinal side edges ofsaid frame, egg carrying means located along said path and designed tostraddle said scale pans during movement, said egg carrying means beingdesigned to transfer eggs from pan to pan, means for feedingeggs or thelike to the egg carrying means, means for moving the latter horizontallyto position an egg over a scale pan, vertically downward to deposit anegg on the pan and horizontally backward and vertically upward toinitial egg receiving position, said means including spaced apartguides, support means reciprocable in said guides adapted to raise and.lower bearing means, the latter designed slidably to support saidcarrier, driving means on said frame, cam means in connection with saiddriving means cooperatively engageable with an arcuate member pivotaliymounted at one end on said frame, the opposite end of said member beingpivotally secured to said carrier to impart horizontal reciprocatorymovement thereto successively to the intermittent vertical reciprocationof the said support means, guard means on one side of the path spacedfrom said egg carrying means a distance less than the width of an e andextending substantially the length of thepath of travel of said eggs,said guard means forming with said eg carrying means, a means forsupporting eggs dislodged from the egg carrying means, such dislodgedeggs being supported and guided through the machine under momentum ofthe operating carrying means, receiving means for dislodged eggspositioned at the end of the machine beyond said guard means and meanson the opposite side of said path for receiving eggs discharged fromeach scale, said latter receiving means including an inclined trayhaving an edge positioned directly adjacent to the scale pans and acushioning member carried along said edge of the trgy for initiallyreceiving discharged eggs or the Z, A grading machine for eggs or thelike as claimed in claim 1 in which the inclined tray is pivotanymounted on the frame at its inner end and adjustably supported on thetray towards its outer end for adjusting the inclination of the tray.

3. A grading machine for eggs or the like comprising a frame, aplurality of scales on said frame spaced apart from one another, eachhaving a scale pan aligned with that of adjacent scales, egg carryingmeans for transferring eggs from pan to pan, means for feeding eggs orthe like to the egg carrying means, means for moving the latterhorizantally to position an egg over a scale pan, vertically downward todeposit an egg on the pan and horizontally backward and verticallyupward to initial egg receiving position, said means including spacedapart guides, support means reciprocable in said guides adapted to raiseand lower bearing means, the latter designed slidably to support saidcarrier, driving means on said frame, cam means in connection with saiddriving meanscooperatively engageable with an arcuate member pivotallymounted at one end on said frame, the opposite end of said member beingpivotally secured to said carrier to impart horizontal reciprocatorymovement 1 thereto succes- -sively .to the intermittent verticalreciprocation said-egg carryingmeansaa. means for supportingeggs-dislodged .from .the .carrier, such dislodged eggsbeing, guided bythe. egg carryingmeans and .said casingwalllinder momentumofthesoperating carryingmeanstosaid.latteregg tray,".and-.an

inclined .tray;positioned.-ialong .the .opposite side of said eggcarrying means and..having;:an:edge positioned ldirectlyradjacent;tothe.scalerpans. for receiving eggs dischargedobycsaidlscale .pans.

4. .A grading machmerorle rl he li e com- .prisinga frame, means'onth'esaid framefor feeding' eggs .or thelikeiinto. said;machine,.a.pluralityof scales. on the-said frame tspacedlapartefromcne =anothenandleachhavingascalepanlaligned with that of.;adjacent..scales,.; means .fortransferring eggs orthe like from .scale.pan.to..-scale span includinga. carrier, a.-carriage.-supportinglsaid .carrier, the saidlcarriagelincludingqspaced apart guides,:-support means reciprocable.inrsaid guides .adapted-.to. raise and lower bearing means, .the latterdesigned slidably to support. said zcarrier, driving means on said:frame cammeansin. connection with-said driving means cooperativelyengageable -.-with an arcuate emember ;.pivotally mounted at.tone-endon..said..frame, the .opposite end bein lpivotallysecured tosaid carrierto impart'horizontal reciprocatory movement ltheretosuccessively. to the. intermittent vertica1.reciprocationlof the said;support means. saidlegg feeding means including .a. retaining .memberintermittently moved .in the .pathpi eggs or thelike fed intothemachine, said retaining member.being-normally helddn the math vof.theleggs and meansin connection withsaid retainingnnember for causing.it .to be engaged byssaid vertically movable rod to remove it from thepath of athe eggs upon downward movementof; saidrod.

5. An egg, grading machine asclaimed in claim 4,-in which'a-stop memberis; designed;to engage the second foremost e g orlthe like .beingied-tothe machine, said stop member .being .normally withheld from the. pathof .the .eggs .or the like and means in connection with .said .retainingmember for causingsaidstop. member .130 engage the second. foremost-.-egg or .the.1ike when said retaining. member is moved from. thepath.of the first egg or the like.

6. 'In .a'machine forgrading eggsandthe like having a. plurality .ofweighingscales, alongitudinally moving egg carrier designed to moveeggsinto engagement with said weighing scales, means for moving the. saidcarrier alternatelyin Lalvertical direction and in ahorizontalldirection said meansiincluding spaced apart .guides supportmeans rec'iprocable in.said, guides adapted to raise .and lower bearingmeans, .the latterdesigned slidably to support said carrier, ldrivingmeans on said .frame, .cam means i in connection With said drivingmeans.cooperativelyengageable with an varcuate memberpivotallylmountedzatzone :end .on said .frame, the :opposite end *of:said zmemberfbeing pivotally secured to said carrier ;to imparthorizontal reciprocatory tmovement :thereto successively to :the.intermittent vertical reciprocation of. said support-means,iatstationary guard member: disposed parallel :to said eggtcarriei-"onone -'side thereof; and .tspaced .apart there- .from laterally-adistance less .than thewvidthnf the article being weighed, and extendingsubstantially: the. length of the .path ofntravel of :the said eggs,said guard member forming, :with1the egg .zcarrier, Lmeans for,supportinglarticles dislodged .from the :carrier, .and "egg; receivingmeans dis- .posedx.along..th'e opposite side of :said carrier anddesigned zto :receive eggs discharged :from said scales.

7. Aadevice aszclaimed in:claim..6,'in'twhich .the .guard member; is:slopedczdownwardlyatoward I the .eggscarrler. I

"*8. fIniialmachine forrgrading eggs or the like, lhavingca plurality:oft-weighing: scales, 1a longitu--'.'dinally.;movingieggzcarrlertdesigned ltomove eggs .into en'gagementwlthasaidxweighing scales, in- :cluding spaced :apart sguides,supporti'means re- -ciprocable .in said :guides adapted to :raise andslower bearing zmeans the 1atter:designed .slidably to support said:carrier, driving i means non .said :frame, .cam means inicomiectiontwith zsaid driving; means cooperatively :engageable with anaarcuatemember pivotally. mountedatone end'on said frame-lithe oppositeend. of said member being pivotally-secured to:said carrierxtoimpart-horizontal xreciprocatory :movement thereto .succes- ;sively totithe intermittent vertical reciprocation .of the said :support .:means,astationary =guard member disposedparallelzto said :egg'carrier along..one;.side'.thereof':and spacedsapartr therefrom laterally. a distanceless thanJthe width ofzthe article .being weighed. and extendingsubstantially :the :length ;of the .path of'rtravl 10f saidaeggs saidguard member ii'ormin'g, with ithe egg carrier, meansforisupportingiarticles dislodged from-the carrier, and 2a receiverzatleach send of said: memher, one designed :to zreceive zartlclesdislodged from the .::said .carrier.in radvance 0f the guard member,:the other designed :.to itreceive :articles :dislodged .ifrom a'the:carrier :and carried through .the "machine :between said .carrier .andguard member, and:-egg:receiving:means disposed fialong theside;of-l.said=..carrier; oppositeilthaticarrying' the guard: and;said'endicompartment,l-designedto re- ;ceive .-.eggs .discharged from*saidtscales.

9..:-A grading machine for eggs: or the like comprisingairame,a'plurality'nf scales on sai'd trame spaced apart from -;one another,:eachhaving -a scale -;pan aligned with :that of adjacent "scales, aneggacarrying means forrtransferring-eggs from pan to panincludingarpair.of :spaced apart members-disposed: to.:straddle the pans an'dmovable;in a horizontal andwverticalldirection relatively-to thepans, ;-acarriage for said egg :transferring means including ea Nertically sand,horizontally movable member, said marriage :havin grooved guide.rollers connected :thereto andvertically movable track. member parallel1 to said vertically and .horizontally movable.memberaengageabletxbysaidyrollers' ofithe' carriageito guide theJIatterrinslidablerrelationtregardless as'lto' the :vertical location ;of saidcarriage, :and means i for causing the .one; member :to move verticallyand horizontally and theoth'er membeixtomove vertically.

JOHN "STEWART LCAMPBELI... WILLIAM BROWN GEORGE

